India has reached a significant milestone in its quest for long-term energy self-sufficiency as the indigenously developed 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has achieved criticality. This means the reactor has attained a controlled and self-sustaining chain reaction for the first time, placing India among a select group of nations with advanced fast breeder reactor technology. Russia is the only other country with operational commercial fast breeder reactors.
The success of the PFBR is a major advancement in India’s three-stage nuclear power program, originally conceptualized by nuclear scientist Homi Jehangir Bhabha, who is considered the architect of the nation’s nuclear strategy. Designed to produce more fuel than it consumes by utilizing plutonium-based fuel and breeding additional fissile material, the PFBR enhances India’s long-term energy security outlook.
This achievement also signifies India’s progression into the second stage of its nuclear program. In the initial stage, natural uranium is utilized as fuel in nuclear reactors, leading to the production of plutonium as a by-product. The second stage involves the use of this plutonium in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs), as outlined in the report.
The Kalpakkam reactor is poised to play a crucial role in the production of Uranium-233 from thorium, setting the stage for the third phase of the program where India aims to harness its abundant thorium reserves for large-scale power generation. Notably, India boasts some of the world’s largest thorium reserves, while its uranium reserves are comparatively limited.
This development is anticipated to bolster India’s transition to clean energy and its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Currently, the country’s nuclear power generation capacity stands at 8.78 GW, contributing around 3% of the nation’s electricity output. With the introduction of indigenous 700 MW reactors and upcoming collaborations for 1,000 MW reactors, India’s installed nuclear capacity is forecasted to increase to 22.38 GW by 2031-32, according to the report.
